Coptic leaders refuse to meet with Clinton

By-Almasry Alyoum |
17 July 2012

Coptic leaders have declined to meet with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, saying that she is recognizing sectarian divisions by meeting with the Muslim Brotherhood and Salafis before requesting to meet with Copts.

Individuals who refused to meet with Clinton included business tycoon Naguib Sawiris, political activist Michael Mounir, former MP Georgette Qilliny and former MP Emad Gad.

A group statement issued Sunday said that since the 25 January revolution, Clinton and other US officials on visits to Egypt have held meetings with the forces of political Islam to the exclusion of other political groups. The statement claimed that the US administration has demonstrated their support for Islamism over other political and civil forces.